Aluko’s Keane Praise Hits Different as the Wright Row Rumbles On

In the never-dull world of British punditry, Eni Aluko’s long-running dispute with Ian Wright has sparked up again — and it casts her glowing past verdict on Roy Keane in a fresh light. Wright, 62, is widely seen as a champion of the women’s game on TV, yet Aluko has bristled at the space he and other men occupy around marquee moments. Now, her admiration for Keane — long painted as the gruff hardman — feels more pointed than ever.

The flashpoints with Wright

Over the past year, Aluko has accused Wright of hindering pathways for female pundits and hogging the limelight in the women’s game. An attempted olive branch didn’t land — Wright declined the apology — and this week she doubled down, questioning why male voices, namely Wright and Nedum Onuoha, fronted the broadcast spotlight for the Women’s Euro 2025 final across ITV and the BBC.

Keane, the supposed hardman who proved an ally

Here’s the twist. While Wright is often viewed as the bubbly, big-hearted presence and Keane the combative one, Aluko has painted a different picture from her time on ITV panels. In a 2024 chat with FourFourTwo, she described Keane as warm, authentic and quietly protective — someone who, in her words, made her feel genuinely supported and respected. She relished working with the former Manchester United captain, suggesting the stern exterior masks a generous colleague behind the camera.

The Overlap gag that said the quiet part out loud

After last year’s initial flare-up, Keane showed he’d been paying attention. On The Overlap, amid a discussion about critiquing managers and women’s coverage, Jill Scott mentioned she doesn’t do many women’s games. Quick as a flash, Keane cheekily pinned it on Wright with a deadpan aside, prompting a roar of laughter — Wright included. It was classic Keane: a joke with a little barb, and a nod to the very debate Aluko has stoked.

What it tells us about the punditry pecking order

Let’s be honest: producers love star wattage for the biggest stages, and Wright is box office. But Aluko’s stance speaks to a broader point — women’s football deserves pathways where female analysts aren’t just guests but fixtures. Wright’s track record as an advocate shouldn’t be dismissed; equally, Aluko’s first-hand experiences matter, and her praise of Keane hints that the grizzled caricature can be misleading. The truth is messy: influence, opportunity and optics are jostling for space in a rapidly growing market.

The debate isn’t slowing down — and neither is the audience. For a wider view of the sporting landscape and where the smart money goes next, our guide to the best betting sites is a handy reference before the next big kick-off.

The bottom line

Aluko versus Wright isn’t just a personality clash; it’s a snapshot of a live conversation about who gets the mic when women’s football takes centre stage. Keane’s unexpected role — part ally, part stand-up — only sharpens the contrast. As ever with this trio, the takes are strong, the lines are blurred, and the spotlight isn’t moving any time soon.